Rome was the capital of the Roman Empire from around 400 BC to 400 AD, which covered much of Europe. It was originally a Republic where citizens voted for their government. The Forum was the center of Roman public life, containing buildings like the Senate and spaces for speeches. Major Roman gods included Jupiter, king of the gods, Mars the god of war, and Venus the goddess of love. Roman entertainment included chariot races at the Circus Maximus and gladiator fights at the Colosseum. Julius Caesar was a famous Roman general who was later assassinated, and his nephew Augustus became the first Roman emperor and established the Praetorian Guard. Christianity later spread throughout the Roman Empire despite Roman persecution of Christians and Jews

2. Rome is a city – today it is the Capital of Italy

3. From about 400 BC to 400 AD Rome was the capital of the
Roman empire – a huge “country” covering much of Europe

5. The Romans were the first people to set up a Republic
Republic – where people choose the Government by voting
(like in Ireland)
Romans were divided into two groups
◦ Plebians (ordinary people)
◦ Patricians (rich people)

8. Republic A slave who fought
Citizen A slave who revolted
Patricians Rome is called after him
Plebeians A slave who was freed
Romulus A Roman man who could vote
Remus The dead twin
Slaves Ireland is one of these
Gladiator Poor Roman
Spartacus Rich Roman
Freedmen Person owned by another

14. The forum was an open space surrounded by large buildings
As well as shopping, the Forum was where the Senate was
located
The Senate was a building where Rome’s politicians worked
when Rome was a Republic
Nearby was the Rostra, where people could make speeches
Running through the centre of the Forum was the Via Sacra –
the holy road
Another important feature in the Forum was the Arch of
Constantine which was built after Rome won a war

16. Jupiter – King of the Gods. Threw thunderbolts at humans he
disliked.
Has a planet named after him
Statue of Jupiter

17. Juno was Jupiter’s wife, the Goddess of the Home and of
Women. Women who were expecting a baby prayed to her.

18. Mars was the God of War. Soldiers prayed to him before
battle
Has a planet named after him.

19. Saturn was the God of Farming – he has a day of the week
named after him. Which one is it?
Has a planet named after him
The size of the
Planet Saturn,
compared to the
Earth

20. Venus was the Goddess of Love.
Also has a planet named after her.
Roman Coin showing Venus

21. Mars King of the Gods
Senate Sacred Road
Rostra Rich person’s house
Constantine Garden in a rich person’s house
Jupiter God of Love
Venus God of War
Atrium Arch on the Via Sacra named after him
Villa Platform for speeches
Via Sacra Roman Politician’s workplace

22. Followers of Vesta
Like Nuns today, were not allowed to get married

24. Underground burial places for Roman citizens
Bodies placed on shelves underground
Some Catacombs could contain thousands of bodies

25. Circus Maximus – a big “race track” in Rome where Chariot
races were held
Colosseum – a stadium where Gladiators could fight each
other in battles, often with wild animals thrown in for good
measure!

29. Julius Caesar (Caesar means King) was a successful Roman
General
Was murdered because some Senators believed he would
become a cruel dictator

30. Julius Caesar’s nephew, ruled from 27 BC to 14 AD.
Set up a special army unit, the Praetorian Guard, to act as his
bodyguards.
Very popular with Plebeians and Patricians

32. Christ was born in AD 1 and lived his life in the Roman Empire
After his death in AD 33 Paul of Tarsus spread Christianity
throughout the Empire
Romans disliked Jews and Christians because they only
worshipped one God, not several
Christians were persecuted by the Romans because of this.

35. The Alphabet
Languages
Roman Words – villa, circus, senate
Roman style of buildings – like the Ennis Courthouse